In response to requests from WSHA members for practical, patient centered guidance on opioid dose reduction, WSHA has developed and is sharing a new resource: WSHA’s Opioid Tapering Guidance: Patient‑Centered Strategies for Safe Dose Reduction.
This guidance was created in close partnership with WSHA member clinicians and interdisciplinary experts, drawing on real-world care experience and evidence‑based best practices.
The guidance emphasizes that safely reducing opioids works best when patients and care teams make decisions together, with respect for individual needs and goals. Slower, gradual dose reductions are usually safer than rapid changes and there is no single timeline that works for everyone. If symptoms worsen or stress increases, it is appropriate to pause, stabilize and restart later at a more manageable pace.
Mental and emotional health are central to this process and pain care should include non‑opioid options and supportive therapies. Certain situations, such as pregnancy or complex health conditions, require added coordination and specialized care.
Throughout the process, respectful, nonjudgmental communication helps build trust and reduce stigma.
This resource reflects the collective expertise of WSHA members and supports shared goals of safety, dignity and harm reduction. Members and partners are encouraged to use and share this guidance to strengthen patient centered opioid stewardship efforts across care settings. (Tina Seery)